Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County says Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper could target another person and may already be watching a new victim as the search enters its 41st day.
Nanos told national media outlets he believes investigators know why the 84‑year‑old was taken from her home near Tucson, but he has not released specifics in order to protect the case.
He said the kidnapper demonstrated planning and patience, suggesting the suspect could be capable of striking again if not caught. He added that while the crime appears targeted, there is no clear evidence that the danger is limited to Guthrie's family, according to People.
More than six weeks after Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, authorities still have not named any suspects or persons of interest. Investigators say evidence at the scene strongly suggests she did not leave on her own and that she was likely kidnapped or taken against her will.
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A timeline released by the Pima County Sheriff's Department shows that Guthrie's doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m., motion was detected inside the house at 2:12 a.m., and her pacemaker stopped communicating with her watch at 2:28 a.m.
Experts have highlighted the roughly 41‑minute period inside the home as unusual and possibly tied to efforts to control Guthrie, remove evidence, or plan an escape route, The Express reported.
The FBI has joined the investigation and is working around the clock with local deputies and crisis‑management teams. A combined reward of more than $1.2 million has been offered for information that leads to Guthrie's recovery.
Nanos has urged the public not to assume the threat is over or limited to one neighborhood. He has asked residents to remain alert, secure their homes, review any surveillance footage they may have from the night of Jan. 31, and report tips by calling 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI, as per Local12.
